WINONA – The Winona Ruritan Club held its August meeting at the Winona Friends Church.

President Rob Doyle Jr. called the meeting to order and introduced the guest speaker, Steve Blake. Everyone rose and sang “America” and Homer Althouse gave the invocation. The caterer served a meal of tossed salad, stuffed peppers, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread with butter and dessert.

Secretary Elmer Lee Stamp called the roll of members with 16 answering in the affirmative. Stamp then read the minutes of the July meeting, which stood as read. Treasurer Bob Doyle Sr. gave his financial report, which also stood as read.

The club is looking for members to help install vinyl siding on the storage shed; volunteers should contact Tom Sanor so he can schedule a day of service.

There are few gun raffle tickets yet to be sold before the Oct. 28 drawing. This drawing is for a Springfield Loaded 1911 California Compliant Single Action semi-automatic metal frame full size in 45 ACP 5-inch match grade barrel, seven rounds, two magazines. See any club member to get a ticket.

There was one member with an August birthday: Doyle Jr. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to him.

There is a bit of whole hog sausage in the freezer; call Stamp or Dean Sidwell to make a purchase.

Under New Business, the national office has issued rule updates for #1 (potential members undergoing a background check when working with youth) and #2 (whistleblower protection policy). All members can receive a copy by requesting one from Stamp.

All members were handed a volunteer sheet for work that needs to be done Oct. 9 (set up day) and Oct. 11 for the club’s All-You-Can-Eat Whole Hog Sausage and Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m.

The club has sent a request to the national foundation to be included in the 2026 “Build Your Dollar Scholarship.”

Doyle Jr. asked for any volunteers to work as a nominating committee for officers for the 2026 year. Elections will be held on Oct. 28.

Doyle Jr. also announced the Ohio Ruritan Fall Convention will be held Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Brethren Church in Smithville. The 2026 Spring Banquet will be held in April, date and location to be announced later.

Doyle Jr. asked everyone to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Blake then gave a PowerPoint presentation on the rules and basics of the game of soccer before the meeting adjourned.